A Arrangement for Rose Page 5

  Her gaze doesn’t waver from the night sky, “On more than one occasion.”

  “How did you develop a love of classical music?”

  “When I was in elementary school, my class went on a field trip to see the symphony. I still remember how captivating it was, how the music felt so magical.”

  Even after she’s shared the memory, her smile remains in place. “I sense there’s more to the story than that.”

  “Maybe, but if I tell you, you’ll laugh.”

  I’m already fighting to keep a straight face so I reply honestly. “Possibly, but now you have to tell me.”

  She laughs and shakes her head vigorously, “Nope.”

  I chuckle as I beg, “Come on, you can’t leave me hanging!”

  She sighs dramatically, “Fine. You know those Peanuts cartoons we grew up watching?” I nod as not to interrupt her, encouraging her to go on. “When I was little, I may have had a little crush on Schroeder.”

  “Schroeder?” I know exactly who she means, but I can’t help teasing her a little.

  “Yeah, you know, the little yellow haired boy that always played the piano that Lucy was infatuated with?”

  I can’t help but chuckle, “Oh right. Then should I be worried that you have a thing for blonde guys that play piano?”

  “No! I knew I shouldn’t have told you,” she says as she shoves me in the shoulder. She tries to pout but ends up laughing too, which makes me laugh even harder.

  I lean over and kiss her cheek, “I bet you were adorably starry-eyed watching those cartoons. A guy could be so lucky.”

  I stretch my arm out along the back of the swing, and as if drawn by some magnetic force, Rose leans into my side. Resting her head on my shoulder, her natural floral scent wraps around me. We sit in silence, my fingers caressing the soft skin of her arm. “How long are you staying in town?”

  Her question surprises me causing my fingers to still immediately. “Until Saturday.”

  She sighs, her head still resting against my shoulder, “That’s too soon.”

  I sigh and kiss the top of her head. “I was going to tell you yesterday, but after spending the day with you, I didn’t want to ruin it.”

  “Will I see you again?”

  Her question is spoken so softly, I barely hear it over the sounds of the night. “Honestly, that’s up to you.” Rose sits up and turns to face me on the swing. “Rose, these last few days with you have been some of the best in my life. I would love to spend more time with you, but I’ll understand if this isn’t something you want to pursue.”

  I watch as she nervously twists and untwists her fingers before meeting my eyes. “I know you have a full tour ahead of you, but if you have some time in between, I’d really like to see you again.”

  A smile teases the corner of my mouth, “Yeah? So I get to be your Schroeder?”

  “Yeah, as long as I get to be your Lucy.” she replies, a smile lighting up her face.

  I lean forward and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, “Does that mean I get to kiss you again?”

  Her smile widens as she leans in closer, “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

  My hand to the back of her neck pulls her to me, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet in a kiss that will leave Rose with no doubt as to who I will be thinking about while I’m gone or who I’ll be returning to the first chance I get.

  I pull her into my lap and deepen the kiss. Rose wraps her arms around my neck, fingers tangling in my hair. My hand slides up her leg, and instead of stopping me, all I hear is an encouraging moan. When I reach the curve of her ass, my finger knead the soft flesh before teasing the sensitive spot between her legs. A shiver runs through her as she begins to move, as if searching for my touch.

  I reluctantly drag my mouth from hers, “If you want to take this slow, then I should go.’

  Rose’s hand moves from my hair to caress my bearded face. Her eyes follow the movement before they land on mine. Leaning forward, she presses a soft kiss to my lips.

  “What if you didn’t?”

  “If I didn’t go?” She nods confirming that’s what she’s asking. “Then this is going to move along a lot faster than either of us intended, because I can’t deny how much I want you.”

  Her eyes search my face, dropping to my lips before returning her desire filled gaze to mine. “Then stay.”

  Chapter 9

  Rose

  “Rose, are you sure?”

  I rolled his question around in my head. Am I sure? No one had made me feel as beautiful as Alek did with just one look. Not that I had much to compare it too, I’d only been with two other men. When he walked into the room, all my senses went on high alert and I felt a deep longing for his touch. It was crazy to think that I had such deep feelings for him in such a short amount of time. My Grandma always said you can’t control what the heart wants, and my heart wants Alek.

  My thumb traces across his lower lip, “Yes, I’m sure. You make me feel things I haven't felt in a long time, and I want to explore those feelings with you.”

  Taking my hand, Alek kisses the inside of my wrist, “I want that too.”

  I smile at his admission and wrap my arms around his neck, “Well, then it’s a good thing I took tomorrow off so we have all day to explore our feelings, each other, whatever.”

  Alek grins as he pulls me closer, “That is a very good thing. When do you think we could start this exploration you’re proposing?”

  My lips curve upward as I whisper against his lips, “I think now would be good.”

  In one hungry motion Alek captures my mouth with his. His lips are firm against my softer ones. His tongue, demanding as he seeks entrance to my mouth, which I immediately grant. I moan softly into his mouth as his hands begin to roam my body.

  He pulls his mouth from mine, trailing kisses along my jaw. “We should move this inside, before we give the neighbors a show,” he growls against my skin.

  I hold his head in place against my neck, “Let them watch,” I pant in reply.

  His husky chuckle vibrates against my neck, “Not tonight, tonight you’re all mine.”

  The timbre of his voice sets me into motion and I crawl off his lap to make my way to the door. Alek follows me inside, his hands on my hips as if he’s afraid to let me go.

  Alek turns me to face him, and our need for each other ignites as we work furiously to undress each other. Stripped down to just my bra and panties, Alek’s eyes roam over my body.

  His voice is rough and filled with need, as he pulls me against him. “My God, you are beautiful.”

  Sweeping me into his arms he moves toward the sofa but I stop him, “Bedroom, top of the stairs.”

  Carrying me as if I weigh nothing, he quickly heads for the stairs. When we reach my room, he places me on my feet beside the bed. His hands never leave my body as they make their way around my back. With skilled fingers, Alek unhooks my bra and slides it down my arms leaving me standing before him in only my lacy black panties.

  He reaches out for me and pulls me close, as his head descends I stop him with a hand to his chest. His heartbeat is strong under my palm as he pulls back, to search my eyes.

  I feel the blush creep onto my cheeks as I admit, “I haven’t done this in a while.”

  Alek’s hands cradle my face as he kisses my softly, “We can take this as slow as you want.”

  The sincerity in his eyes takes my breath away and I shake my head in response. “No, I’m tired of taking things slow. I want this, I want you, us.”

  Alek lifts me off my feet and places me on the bed, as he climbs on as well. Hovering over me, he kisses each corner of my mouth, his hand caressing my thigh. “I want you too.”

  His blue eyes darken with desire and my breath catches as I pull his mouth down to meet mine. A fire lights inside me as his tongue plunders my mouth, teasing and tasting while his hand moves to my breast. Dragging his mouth from mine he leaves a fiery trail of kisses down my neck and acro
ss my chest until he captures one hardened nipple between his teeth.

  He nips, sucks and licks as my greedy hands hold him in place. My fingers are woven in his hair as I writhe beneath him. I can feel wetness pool between my legs as I beg, “Alek, please.”

  “Soon baby,” is his only response as he continues his delicious torture.

  He places open-mouthed kisses along my stomach as he inches toward the place I need him most. Reaching for my panties, Alek slides them down my legs, before tracing his finger along my sex, causing me to cry out with need.

  “Ahh, please, I need you now.”

  He hurriedly removes his boxer briefs and sheaths himself before settling back between my legs. He places himself at my entrance and then whispers against my lips, “I need you too, baby.”

  Capturing my mouth in a heated kiss, he pushes inside me, slowly stretching me to accommodate his size. Once he’s fully seated inside me, he begins to move, creating a rhythm that my body automatically syncs to. His mouth breaks free from mine, “My God you feel like heaven wrapped around me.”

  My legs tighten around him and my heels dig into his firm ass urging him on. “Yes, heaven,” I pant. “Don’t stop.”

  “Couldn’t if I wanted to.”

  His thrusts quicken and I meet each one, chasing the orgasm that is just beyond my reach. “So close.”

  “Don’t hold back, Rose, give it to me.”

  As if, his words flip a switch inside me, I fall over the edge of desire. Bright lights explode around me as Alek stills above me, his body pulsing inside me as he finds his own release. Alek rolls to his side, taking me with him. Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me into his chest, and kisses the top of my head.

  My head buried against his chest, I smile “That was incredible.”

  He tilts my chin up to look in my eyes before placing a soft kiss on my lips, “Yes, it was.”

  Gently breaking our connection, Alek walks to the bathroom to dispose of the condom, before returning to bed. I snuggle back into his side, tangling my legs with his as his fingers dance lightly over my skin. Exhaustion overtakes me and my eyes drift closed as he holds me close. Kissing my forehead, Alek whispers, “Sleep now my sweet Rose,” and I let sleep claim me.

  Monday morning finds me standing in the workroom of the flower shop, working on the overnight orders.

  The last few days with Alek replay through my mind as I work. It has been a long time since I woke up smiling wrapped in the arms of a man. I seem to do a lot of that whenever Alek is around.

  The last few years of my marriage were full of anxiety. Between work and Todd's nights out, sex had become nonexistent. After years of being together, Todd and I had basically become roommates.

  Since I had taken Friday off, Alek and I spent the day together. Waking up late, we made love again before venturing out into the world. After lunch, we went for a walk on the beach and then back to Alek’s hotel.

  After an incredibly steamy shower to wash the sand from our bodies, Alek ordered us room service for dinner and we spent the rest of the night tangled in each other's arms.

  The next morning, when breakfast arrived, my heart began to sink. The week spent with Alek was coming to an end and even though he said he wanted to pursue what we had, I was still a little skeptical that he actually would.

  When Alek drove me home, he promised to call after his performance. After kissing me goodbye, he got in his car and headed to Charlotte.

  True to his word, Alek called after his performance Saturday night. He also texted me on Sunday and called again after that evening performance. He’s been texting most of the morning and is calling again tonight after the charity show.

  Interrupting my thoughts, Janet comes through the curtain into the workroom. “Hey Rose,” she stops taking in the arrangement I’m working on filled with pink hydrangea and white roses. “Oh what a beautiful arrangement.”

  I smile, my focus still on the task before me, “Thank you. Did you need something?”

  “Oh, yes! This just came for you.”

  She hands me a padded envelope, and I take it cautiously. “I’m not expecting anything.”

  “Well then you better open it and see who it’s from,” Janet suggests.

  I tear into the brown padded envelope and pull out a piece of paper along with a cd. Unfolding the paper, I find a printed copy of Alek’s tour schedule with a message written in the corner.

  So you’ll always know where I am when I’m not with you.

  The note makes me smile, and then I notice the little heart that he drew next to his stop in Charleston. My finger traces it and my smile lingers in place as I pick up the cd. A sticky note is attached that reads, I think you’ll enjoy the bonus material most of all. Turning it over I see the bonus material includes the song I first heard Alek play.

  “Well,” Janet says, reminding me that I’m not alone in the room. “By the looks of that smile, I no longer have to wonder who the package was from.”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” I reply, still smiling as I take the cd out of the case and place it in the player.

  “Sure you don’t,” she teases as she turns back to the doorway. “He’s one of the good ones Rose, hold on to him with both hands.”

  She’s right, I know she is, Alek treated me with nothing but kindness and respect the whole time he was here. So did Todd in the early stages of our relationship. I know it’s unfair to compare the two of them, but I really don’t have any other choice. Todd nearly broke me with his accusations and jealousy. Truth be told, there was always something nagging at me about Todd. That little internal voice warning me that he was too good to be true. I don’t hear that voice when it comes to Alek.

  I press the play button on the cd player, and music fills my workspace. I close my eyes and let the sound Alek creates envelop me. I pick up my phone, find Alek’s name and place the call. Alek answers on the second ring.

  “Hello my beautiful Lucy.”

  The sound of his voice already has me smiling, but the use of my nickname makes me laugh.

  “Hello my handsome Schroeder,” I reply teasingly. “Thank you for the cd, I’m listening to it right now.”

  “I’m glad you like it. Did you get my note?”

  “I did. It was very sweet.”

  He's quiet for a beat before he says, “I miss you.”

  His confession pulls at something inside me, “I miss you, too,” I reply softly. “Are you ready for your show tonight?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. This show is so much less formal than the ones I did this weekend. It’s refreshing to relax and enjoy the audience.”

  “That’s wonderful Alek. I didn’t realize so many hospitals had music wellness programs.”

  “It depends on the city. Some find it hard to get funding for basic programs let alone music wellness programs. If I can help put a spotlight on a program that helps, I feel it’s my duty to do so.”

  A warmth fills me at the generosity of this man, “You’re a good man Alek Berringer.”

  My compliment, even though it’s true, makes him uncomfortable. “You’re just saying that because I sent you a present.”

  “No,” I argue, “I’m saying it because it’s true and because you sent me a present.”

  He chuckles, his rich voice echoing through the receiver, “I knew it!” I laugh along with him until he says, “Hold on a second, Rose.” I hear him shift the phone as he opens the door. “Okay, I’ll be right there.” I hear the door close and then he’s back talking to me. “Rose, I’m so sorry, Vince is here, so I need to run.”

  I smile to myself at his concern for cutting our call short, “Alek, you don’t have to apologize. You need to get to the hospital, and I have arrangements to work on.”

  His sigh of relief is audible through the phone, “Thank you for understanding. Can I call you after the show?”

  “Of course. Good luck tonight.”

  “Thanks, talk to you soon.”

 
“Okay, bye.”

  I end the call, turn up the music and get back to work on the arrangements I have left to finish.

  As promised Alek called after his show, and we talked until I began to yawn. While I have no doubt Alek enjoys the formal performances, it’s the visit to the hospital he spoke most excitedly about.

  I wake the next morning to a text from Alek.

  Alek: Good morning gorgeous.

  I smile at the blind compliment. Even though Alek has seen me first thing in the morning, I’m fairly positive, gorgeous is an exaggeration.

  Me: Good morning

  Alek: Getting ready to hit the road. Driving to Cincinnati today, I’ll call you when I get settled in.

  Me: Looking forward to it. Be careful. XO

  My finger hovers over the send button as I internally battle with myself about adding the universal symbols for hugs and kisses. In the end I send the message, because truth be told I’d rather be kissing Alek than sending him text messages.

  Up until the end of the day, work is uneventful, and then fifteen minutes before closing, Todd walks through the door. “Rose.”

  Taking a bouquet from the cooler, he saunters over to the counter, smirk firmly in place. Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I opt to be indifferent, yet polite.

  “Todd. Will this be all for you?”

  He huffs, “Still the same bitch you always were I see.”

  What does he expect me to fall at his feet and beg him to take me back? Fat chance. “Funny, you’re the only one that thought so. I wonder why that is?”

  His eyes narrow, “Heard you’re seeing someone. Does he know what a whore you are?”

  I grit my teeth and count to ten, trying not to take the bait he’s casting. “You know what Todd, there are six other shops in town for you to get flowers from, visit them from now on. Because the next time you walk through my door, I’ll call the police claiming harassment.”

  “You wouldn’t dare,” he seethes leaning into the counter.

  Fury fills me as I stand my ground and lean towards him, “Try me.”